Mission and objectives

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs, transnational organized crime, terrorism and corruption. It is an organization with significant institutional memory expertise on the issues related to drugs and crime. UNODC contributes to global peace and security, human rights, and development by making the world safer from drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism by working with Member States to promote justice and the rule of law and build resilient societies. UNODC in Afghanistan operates to identify and address aspects of the drug and crime situation in the country. This is done through evidence-based advocacy in the policy arena; providing reliable information on opium poppy cultivation, production, prices, and drug users; and through implementation in the field by providing effective alternative livelihoods to farmers dependent on poppy cultivation as well as drug demand and harm reduction support to people affected by drug dependence.

Context

In regions marked by instability, organized criminal networks are expanding drug production and trafficking at an unprecedented scale. In Southeast Asia’s Golden Triangle, methamphetamine now dominates over traditional drugs like opium and heroin while armed groups also engage in large-scale online scams and financial fraud. In Latin America and the Caribbean, record cocaine production and trafficking are fueling violence and eroding state institutions. As demand spreads, cocaine markets are rapidly growing not only in Europe but also across Africa and Asia. The rise of synthetic drugs — including highly potent opioids like nitazenes — presents a new and deadly challenge. These substances are driving overdose deaths and putting pressure on already fragile health systems. The illicit drug trade is deeply connected to other crimes including human trafficking, illegal mining and environmental destruction. Together, these interconnected crimes are part of a vicious cycle that entrench poverty, exploitation, institutional weakness and addiction. Stopping drug trafficking requires long-term coordinated action to address supply and demand and prevent organized criminal groups from exploiting vulnerabilities. This year’s World Drug Day calls for investment in prevention, including justice, education, health care and alternative livelihoods — the building blocks of sustainable resilience.

Task Description

To support this digital campaign for Afghanistan on World Drug Day 2026, UNODC is seeking the support of 55 Online Volunteers (OVs). Under the guidance of the UNODC Communications team, Online Volunteers will support the campaign by helping amplify key messages and promote public engagement through digital outreach activities. Specifically: - Each Online Volunteer will be encouraged to share 2–3 campaign posts per week through their personal or community social media networks. A social media calendar will be provided. - OVs will support light tracking of campaign engagement by updating a shared Google Sheet with relevant metrics, as guided by the assigned Group Coordinator. - Five Coordination OVs will each support a small team of Online Volunteers by helping facilitate communication and coordination. Applicants interested in serving as a Coordination OV are encouraged to indicate this in their motivation statement. - All campaign content, messaging guidance, and participation instructions will be shared with Online Volunteers through a digital toolkit with a mandatory orientation call during the first week of June 2026. - This campaign will take place for the duration of June 2026, concluding with World Drug Day on June 26 Applicants interested in serving as a Coordination OV are encouraged to indicate this in their motivation statement.

Competencies and values

Living conditions and remarks